The CBI has made another high profile arrest in connection with the illegal iron ore mining case of former minister Mr Gali Janardhan Reddy.

CBI officials took into custody Ms Y Srilakshmi a 1988 batch IAS officer, for her alleged involvement in the illegal iron ore mining operations of Reddy owned Obulapuram Mining Company.

Ms Srilakshmi was produced in the court on Monday. However, the lower court has asked the CBI to produce her in the CBI court on Tuesday. The CBI was keen on seeking 15 days custody of the officer, who was instrumental in clearing the files according mining license to OMC. However, the custody issue would be decided by the court on Tuesday.

However, the CBI is keen on questioning her immediately, particularly with the deadline for filing the charge sheet with the case fast approaching. According to the CBI, Srilakshmi played a key role in according approvals to Reddy’s proposals.

The CBI also alleged that the IAS officer did not cooperate with investigators during the earlier rounds of questioning. The agency has also said she would flee the state with the help of her husband, who is an IPS officer, if she was not sent to CBI custody.

Ms Srilakshmi’s arrest is the fourth in the mining case and she has been named as the third accused in the case. The CBI has already arrested Gali Janardhan Reddy, his brother in law BV Srinivas Reddy and Rajagopal, a former director of the Andhra Pradesh mines department.

(Sourced from www.dnaindia.com)